Finley Leger ’29

Contributing Writer

Coming off a dominant 45-0 shutout against Williams, the Trinity football team showed no signs of slowing down on Saturday. Facing the Hamilton Continentals who rank third in the NESCAC scoring offense, first in passing offense, third in offensive efficiency and second in both third down conversion percentage and red-zone offense, Trinity relied on the exact blueprint that fueled their previous blowout: setting a fast pace, attacking early through the air and playing relentless defense to secure a 37-6 victory.

The win extended Trinity’s historical dominance over Hamilton to 31 straight wins, a streak dating back to 1994 the last time Hamilton won and improved their all-time record against the Continentals to 46-11-1.

Heading into Saturday, Trinity knew Hamilton would bring a potent offensive challenge. Hamilton entered the matchup averaging a conference-best of 331.7 passing yards per game, ranking them first in the league for passing offense behind 2025 All-NESCAC quarterback Luke Kurzum ’27 and high-powered receivers Mitchell Ivatts ’29 and Matthew Kearns ’28. However, Trinity’s game plan focused on making Hamilton one-dimensional, disrupting Kurzum without allowing explosive downfield plays, taking away receivers Mitchell Ivatts and Matthew Kearns, winning third downs to force quick punts or turnovers, leaning on a defense yielding just 4.7 points per game to prevent a shootout and carrying over the same “110%” aggressive mindset that worked against Williams.

That carryover mentality paid dividends from the start. After Trinity’s defense forced an early turnover on downs, the offense ignited. Quarterback Jaxon Carroll ’27 (#12) opened up the passing attack immediately, finding Jack Tosone ’27 (#20) over the middle for an 11-yard strike resulting in a first down. Moments later, Carroll connected with Patrick McCaffrey ’27 (#4) on a 23-yard gain for another first down. Striking while Hamilton’s defense was on its heels, Carroll capped off the fast drive by hitting Tosone over his shoulder for a 51-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0.

Trinity’s defense quickly took control of the game script. By neutralizing Hamilton’s run game and containing Kurzum in the pocket, Trinity forced Hamilton into obvious passing downs and stalled their high-powered rhythm. Later towards the end of the first quarter, Carroll (#12) threw another deep pass to McCaffrey (#4) for 32 yards into the red zone, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Tyler Beliveau ’28 (#84) to extend the lead to 10-0.

In the second quarter, Trinity’s offensive line began wearing down Hamilton’s front. Pushing downfield after an initial completion to Nolan O’Brien (Grad Student.) (#11) and a penalty that pushed Trinity back, Carroll reconnected with O’Brien for 31 yards and dropped a 27-yard deep middle pass to Cooper Edwards ’28 (#88) down to the 1-yard line. Running back Josh Woodford ’29 (#22) finished the drive by scoring a touchdown, extending the score to 17-0.

Hamilton briefly answered with a touchdown by Connor Laverty ’28 to narrow the score to 17-6, but Trinity quickly blocked Carmelo Velardo’s ’27 extra point attempt. Following the kickoff and a 13-yard return by Cooper Edwards (#88) to Trinity’s 35-yard line, Trinity responded with a heavy dosage of power running. Leaning on Tosone (#20) to stretch the edge and carry the ball downfield, Trinity capped off a physical drive with a 1-yard touchdown by Tosone (#20) to make it 24-6.

Before Hamilton could recover, Trinity’s secondary delivered a game-altering sequence right before halftime. Defensive back Marshall Rice ’28 (#21) read Kurzum’s pass along the left sideline, picking off the throw and racing 36 yards for a pick-six to blow the game open at 31-6. Hamilton attempted a late drive before the break, but Shane Mosia ’27 (#35) intercepted Kurzum’s pass in the end zone as time expired to close out a dominant opening half. 

The second half turned into a defensive clinic. Trinity’s front seven kept constant pressure on Kurzum, preventing him from connecting with receivers Ivatts and Kearns for major gains. Pass rushers Charlie Newhall ’28 (#10) and Nolan Eilender ’29 (#44) recorded key sacks, forcing an intentional grounding penalty that derailed Hamilton’s momentum.

On offense, Trinity sustained control by mixing physical running with efficient passing. Carroll (#12) connected with Nick Behrens ’27 (#2) for 29 yards, and a steady dosage of runs from Woodford (#22) set up his second 1-yard touchdown run of the day in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring at 37-6.

By taking away Hamilton’s top playmakers, controlling third downs and executing their individual assignments with precision, Trinity proved that their strategic foundation from the Williams game was no fluke. With two straight dominant performances in the books, Trinity continues to establish itself as a powerhouse this season.

Temur Sullivan ’30

Contributing Writer

As the autumn leaves began to change and the fall air turned crisp, the Trinity crowd was full of energy as everyone took in the last bit of summer heat. With a 45-0 victory against the Williams Ephs on Saturday, the largest margin of victory against Williams in program history. The Bantams continued their win streak, improving to 3-0 with exhilarating electricity. Trinity is currently tied with Amherst and Wesleyan for first in the NESCAC—a great start for the new season. 

Within the second drive of the game, the Bantams ran the ball down the Ephs’ throat during a 68-yard drive, finished by a 14-yard touchdown run from Tate Hoffmeister ’28, allowing Trinity an early lead. Senior captain Jaxon Carroll ’27 led the team with 10 completions, 219 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions; Hoffmeister led the run game with an average of 6.6 yards per carry, two touchdowns, and 79 yards; and Patrick McCaffrey ’27 led the receivers with five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Max Wallace ’29 scored an impressive 47-yard field goal during the second quarter. 

Linebacker Lincoln Moore ’28 led the defense with 7 tackles. Bryce Ferrell ’27 returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter, and then Joshua Stahl ’29 added another pick-six in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 44. 

Quincy Harwood ’30, who attended the game, said that the team appeared to be doing “pretty well,” and the strong stops by the defense allowed the offense to produce more yards and have more opportunities to score. Harwood also described the team as being “disciplined” on the field. 

The game was also the annual Pride Game in collaboration with the Queer Resource Center (QRC). According to Luiza Telimena ’29, a QRC student worker, the Trinity football and volleyball teams partnered with the QRC to raise funds for the Trevor Project, a mental health crisis support line for LGBTQ youth. 

Although Trinity is a small school, at every football game, dedicated fans stake tents and gather in groups of friends and families. Cooking food on grills, playing music and tossing the ball around, the community which surrounds Trinity’s football team reflects the dedication of not only the players, but of the fans who show up every game.

Alex Gervais ’28

Managing Editor

It was a successful weekend for the Bantams across fall sports with programs notching strong finishes at invitationals and big wins over rivals.

The men’s tennis team took home a strong four individual wins at the ITA New England Championships, hosted by Middlebury College. A doubles pairing of Luca Garbati ’27 and Maxim Golubenko ’29 advanced to the round of 32 before falling to a pairing from Bowdoin. Golubenko also advanced to the round of 32 in the singles A bracket, but fell to Amherst. The Bantams will next travel to the Wallach Invitational from Oct. 10-11 at Bates to take on more NESCAC competition. 

The women’s and men’s golf teams both finished fourth at their respective invitationals. At the Williams Fall Invitational, the women’s team posted their best finish in program history, coming in at 56 over par at the end of the weekend’s competition. The team was led by a strong performance from Zorah Williams ’30, finishing third overall among individuals at 5 over par and posting a one over par finish on Sunday. CC Kaplan ’29 also buoyed the team, highlighted by her 2 over par round on Saturday. At the Bowdoin Invitational, the men’s team finished tied for fourth place at 29 over par. Charlie Mullin ’28 led the Bantams with a third overall finish at three under par. Mullin ultimately birdied six of his last nine holes, including five of his last six. The men’s team will continue their season on Oct. 4-5 at the Matthew Auto Invitational, while the women’s team will compete at the Wesleyan Invitational, also from Oct. 4-5.

Football trounced Bates 43-0 on the road in Lewiston, ME. Trinity now holds a 44-7 lifetime record against Bates dating back to 1915 and have outscored Bates 261-48 over the teams’ last six matchups. The Bantams relied heavily on their run game, gaining 351 yards on the ground across 53 carries. No back did a majority of the work for the Bantams, but Josh Woodford ’28 posted 84 yards on 14 carries, highlighted by two touchdowns. Jack Tosone ’27 led the team in scrimmage yards, posting a combined 125 yards highlighted by a 64 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. The defense held strong for the Bantams, forcing a shutout and allowing a mere 71 yards of offense. Ethan Krauss ’27 led the Bantams defense with six tackles and Jacob Tobias ’29 wasn’t far behind with five total tackles and one and a half tackles for loss. Football will host undefeated Williams at home on Saturday, currently touting a four game win-streak against the Eephs. 

Volleyball swept Johnson & Wales in straight sets at home on Saturday. The Bantams won both sets one and two 25-20, tallying more kills than JWU and handedly outhitting them. They cruised to victory in the third set, 25-12, ultimately closing the match on a dominant 15-0 run. Emma Ewert ’29 posted a double-double (11 kills and 14 digs) and Scarlett Jago ’27 led the team in digs with 19. Volleyball will next play on the road at Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday, before returning to conference play against No. 11 Wesleyan on Friday.

Alex Gervais ’28

Managing Editor

At the Trinity soccer field on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 19, the men’s soccer team notched their first win over a conference opponent since Sept. 30, 2023, beating Hamilton 2 to 0.

The Bantams took control early with an 8th minute goal from Trevor Saruwaka ’29 and a 14th minute goal from Charles Desautels ’30, assisted by Owen Myers ’27. Even as Trinity was outshot 11-10, their defense stood steady, bolstered by four saves from Jake Davis ’30. 

The Chapel’s bells rang in the background as the Bantams held on down the stretch, in what became a game that grew increasingly chippy. Three of four yellow cards in the game were handed out in the last 20 minutes, Trinity being carded three times to Hamilton’s one. The Bantams also committed 14 of the game’s 20 fouls. 

Trinity followed up this win with a 3-0 win over Worcester Polytechnic University. The Bantams were bolstered by three goals in the second half, one scored by senior Captain Jack Murphy ’27, who also assisted on the other two goals.

Their next game is today, Sept. 22, on the Trinity soccer field, where the Bantams will play against Framingham State University. 

Hayes Goodman ’27

Contributing Writer

Trinity Volleyball began the year undefeated with five consecutive three-set sweeps, led by a strong offense. They lead their opponents in kills, assists, aces and digs by a wide margin, and had only made 29 errors. On Friday, they clashed with No. 2 ranked Colby, a team which had just won the East-West Classic tournament in Atlanta, GA.

Colby won the first two sets with an aggressive attack. The third set was tightly contested, with Trinity pulling ahead to win 25-23. Amy Boller ’29 and Emma Ewart ’29 each had impressive kills, and Scarlett Jago ’27 was a defensive standout, absorbing powerful spikes and directing the ball to her teammates. In the fourth set, Bella Nash ’27 served well and dove on the floor for a couple digs. Chloe Gentile ’27 and Maya Hall ’28 each had a block at the net on match point, but the team could not slow Colby’s momentum, losing the set 25-22.

Ewart (14 kills, 15 digs) and Boller (12 kills, 11 digs) each scored a double-double, and Jago finished with 20 digs. Maya Hall ’28 contributed 9 kills and 5 assists, and Catalina Hendricks ’27 added a team-high 17 assists.

In an interview with the Tripod, middle blocker Grace Soltis ’27 said: “The gameplan was to get four hands up in the air at all times to make things easier for our back row, and we did a great job of that tonight.” Despite the loss, Bella Nash ’27 showed tenacity: “In the third set, I realized we really had a chance of coming back here, so I locked in.” Moving forward, Maya Pace ’27 added: “We definitely want to hit the deep corners when our opponents come in, and close the block.”

Nash employs an unusual serving technique, hitting the ball about five feet farther back than most players. She explained, “When I got to Trinity, I was always blasting the ball out. I didn’t like how hard the ball was getting to them, it was easier to return. So when I step back, the ball has more flow and it’s harder to pass.” When asked if she focuses on placement, she added: “It depends on the moment, but I mostly want to have a tough, reliable serve. If I overthink the placement, I might mess it up, so I’m just focused on staying in flow.”

Coach Jen Bowman commented, “I was most impressed with our defensive effort. After the first  two sets, we were scrappy and our blocking was better. It was fun to watch.” The volleyball team is high-spirited during games, with the bench always cheering on the players. I asked Bowman why the players chant “Side-out” during games. She explained, “Side-out means when the returning team wins the point and the serving team doesn’t get the ball back. It’s a holdover from old school volleyball, when only the serving team could win a point. It basically means, let’s get this ball back and score.”

Volleyball will face more tough NESCAC opponents in the next few weeks, including No.15 Wesleyan and No. 13 Tufts.

Kashmala Khan’ 29

Managing Editor

For Trinity men’s soccer, the opening of the season has already offered a little bit of everything: a tough loss to No. 1 ranked Tufts University, a win over the University of Hartford, an impressive 2-0 victory over Saint Joseph and, most recently, a close 2-1 defeat to Williams. 

Though the results may be mixed, the Bantams have already begun to showcase the kind of team they aim to be.

On Sept. 9, the team travelled to the University of Saint Joseph and returned with a 2-0 shutout victory. After a scoreless first half, Sebastian Martinez-Moule ’30 opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, burying the ball into the back corner of the net. Matthew Mcleod’ 30 further ensured the victory by scoring in the 76th minute with a left-footed strike into the upper corner. For both the players, these goals marked the first of their collegiate careers.

This was a particularly encouraging result for a team that has recruited a sizable group of new players. In an interview with the Tripod, senior captain Jack Murphy ’27 discussed how the newcomers have fit into the team seamlessly. 

“We have an amazing group of first-years and transfer students,” Murphy said. “As we continue in the season, we will only get better.”

That chemistry is something Murphy sees as central to the team’s identity: “We have added not only great players, but great guys as well,” he says. 

Indeed, the cohesion was visible in the Saint Joseph win, where both goals came from first-year players. Murphy credited the coaching staff’s preparation and mentioned that the team was able to execute the game plan throughout the match. Trinity also controlled the numbers, outshooting Saint Joseph 22-6 and earning 15 corner kicks. 

For a team seeking to establish itself early on in the season, the win stands to be more than just another mark in the results log.

“It was a great steppingstone for us as we continue to strive for our goals,” Murphy said.

Those goals are not modest. Murphy asserted that men’s soccer are competing for both the national and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships. 

However, that ambition will require more than one strong performance and Saturday’s matchup against Williams College provided an early test. The Bantams fell 2-1 to the Ephs in Hartford on Sept. 12, which was a narrow defeat against a team that entered the game ranked No. 10 nationally.

The loss suggests that Trinity now has an early-season record that reflects both the promise and difficulty of its schedule; still, Murphy does not seem interested in treating the Saint Joseph victory as a high point in itself. “It is important to expect to win and then to win,” he said.

That expectation is perhaps the biggest shift Murphy hopes to bring as captain. Having been with the program for the past two seasons, he said the team has collectively placed a greater emphasis on discipline and detail in its preparation for the fall season. 

There is still plenty for the Bantams to figure out: Murphy pointed to experience and the ability to adapt to adversity as the team will continue to develop over the season. 

Still, the early signs are encouraging. Men’s soccer has already shown that it can rebound, defend and generate opportunities, while its newest players have wasted no time in making an impact. 

The Bantams will now look to carry that energy into the rest of the season. For Murphy, the expectation is straightforward. “A team that will play with passion and energy every single game,” he said. If the opening weeks are any indication, Trinity will have plenty of opportunities to show exactly what that looks like.

Kashmala Khan ’29

Managing Editor

For Trinity men’s soccer, the opening of the season has already offered a little bit of everything: a tough loss to No. 1 ranked Tufts University, a win over the University of Hartford, an impressive 2-0 victory over Saint Joseph and, most recently, a close 2-1 defeat to Williams. 

Though the results may be mixed, the Bantams have already begun to showcase the kind of team they aim to be.

On Sept. 9, the team travelled to the University of Saint Joseph and returned with a 2-0 shutout victory. After a scoreless first half, Sebastian Martinez-Moule ’30 opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, burying the ball into the back corner of the net. Matthew Mcleod’ 30 further ensured the victory by scoring in the 76th minute with a left-footed strike into the upper corner. For both the players, these goals marked the first of their collegiate careers.

This was a particularly encouraging result for a team that has recruited a sizable group of new players. In an interview with the Tripod, senior captain Jack Murphy ’27 discussed how the newcomers have fit into the team seamlessly. 

“We have an amazing group of first-years and transfer students,” Murphy said. “As we continue in the season, we will only get better.”

That chemistry is something Murphy sees as central to the team’s identity: “We have added not only great players, but great guys as well,” he says. 

Indeed, the cohesion was visible in the Saint Joseph win, where both goals came from first-year players. Murphy credited the coaching staff’s preparation and mentioned that the team was able to execute the game plan throughout the match. Trinity also controlled the numbers, outshooting Saint Joseph 22-6 and earning 15 corner kicks. 

For a team seeking to establish itself early on in the season, the win stands to be more than just another mark in the results log.

“It was a great steppingstone for us as we continue to strive for our goals,” Murphy said.

Those goals are not modest. Murphy asserted that men’s soccer are competing for both the national and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships. 

However, that ambition will require more than one strong performance and Saturday’s matchup against Williams College provided an early test. The Bantams fell 2-1 to the Ephs in Hartford on Sept. 12, which was a narrow defeat against a team that entered the game ranked No. 10 nationally.

The loss suggests that Trinity now has an early-season record that reflects both the promise and difficulty of its schedule; still, Murphy does not seem interested in treating the Saint Joseph victory as a high point in itself. “It is important to expect to win and then to win,” he said.

That expectation is perhaps the biggest shift Murphy hopes to bring as captain. Having been with the program for the past two seasons, he said the team has collectively placed a greater emphasis on discipline and detail in its preparation for the fall season. 

There is still plenty for the Bantams to figure out: Murphy pointed to experience and the ability to adapt to adversity as the team will continue to develop over the season. 

Still, the early signs are encouraging. Men’s soccer has already shown that it can rebound, defend and generate opportunities, while its newest players have wasted no time in making an impact. 

The Bantams will now look to carry that energy into the rest of the season. For Murphy, the expectation is straightforward. “A team that will play with passion and energy every single game,” he said. If the opening weeks are any indication, Trinity will have plenty of opportunities to show exactly what that looks like.

Ashley McDermott ’26

Executive Sports Editor

The 2026 spring semester is coming to an end, which means that the spring athletes will soon put away their cleats and hang up their jerseys. The Tripod gained insight into the spring season’s conclusion from some of the captains, and has collected results from the past week to celebrate the teams and their achievements. 

The Men’s Baseball team currently stands with 21 wins and only seven losses, collecting their past three wins in a series against the Colby College Mules. The Baseball team made their way into the top of the East Division from this win, as it was the first game in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) series. They will play a home game on Tuesday, April 21 at the Murren Family Field against Amherst College at 6 pm.

The Women’s Softball snagged some victories during NESCAC play, most recently on Saturday, April 18, against Amherst College in a home double-header. This placed the team at a 7-5 record in NESCAC play. The team will return this Saturday, April 25, at a home double header at noon on the softball field, against Bowdoin College.

The Men’s Golf Team has returned from the fall with some high rankings. From the Trinity Invitational on April 4 and 5, the team placed at second and third out of 14 teams. The team made it to the podium at the Tim Brown Invitational, placing third out of 17 teams. Most recently, the golfers ended the Farmingdale State Spring Invitational in eighth place out of 16 teams. Next, the team will go on to compete in the NESCAC Championship this Friday, April 24, at the Hopyard Golf Club.

The Women’s Golf Team had major success this past weekend, finishing in first place at the UHart/Trinity Invitational. The two day event held a new record for Trinity in the first round on Saturday, with first-year CC Kaplan being the first player in program history to finish under par. Their next tournament will kick off on May 1, at the Taconic Golf Club for the NESCAC Championship. 

The Men’s Lacrosse Team earned a NESCAC win this past weekend against Colby College. This matchup gave the team the chance to rally against the Mules, who in the last quarter tied the game at 10-10. The Bantams responded with three points, settling a win for Trinity. The victory picked up momentum for the Bantams after a challenging season, pushing the players forward into their game on Wednesday, April 22 at Amherst College.

The Women’s Lacrosse Team currently sits at an overall 10-4, and set themselves up with two NESCAC wins the past two weekends, against Hamilton College and then more recently Colby College. From the game against the Colby College Mules, captains Grace Denious and Kaeley Zito each ended the game with their own hat tricks, closing the game at 12-7. The team will take on Amherst College Mammoths on Wednesday, April 22, at home on the Robin L. Sheppard Field. Captains of the Women’s Team, Grace Denious, Kaeley Zito, and Sam Hark, told the Tripod, “The ’26 season for the women’s lacrosse team has been nothing but exciting! Having a winning record in the NESCAC conference, and after a big win against Colby this past Saturday, we are looking forward to finishing out the regular season strong!”

The Men’s Rowing Team completed the Remley Cup race this past Saturday, April 18, in first place. They are ranked number 1 in the New England Region. The team shows promise to reclaim the national title from 2025, and will race again May 2, at Lake Quinsigamond in the New England Rowing Championships. 

The number one Women’s Rowing Team also saw success in their most recent race against Williams and Wesleyan, with their 1V boat in second place and their 2V boat in first place. The rowers will return May 2, also at Lake Quinsigamond for the New England Rowing Championships.

The Men’s Tennis Team has had ups and down this past season, but notably defeated the Connecticut College Camels in a shut out earlier this month. The Bantams led across all doubles matches, and had a 1-0 lead in singles. The Women’s Tennis Team has also faced challenges this season, but will host Wheaton College this Sunday, April 26, for their Senior Day on the Paul Assaiante Tennis Courts.

The Men and Women’s Track and Field team hosted the Trinity Invitational this past Saturday. The Men’s Team earned 17 top ten finishes, two of which were first place victories, while the Women’s Team snagged 21 top ten finishes, eight of which were in the top three. The teams will compete in the NESCAC Championship this weekend, April 25 and April 26, in Hadley, Massachusetts. 

Each team has given their all this season, and has continued to reach new heights before the semester wraps up. With just a few weeks left, these Bantams will conclude the 2026 athletic season with drive and focus. 

Ashley McDermott ’26

Executive Sports Editor

The Trinity College Rowing teams have begun their spring season, with both the men’s and women’s teams dominating their first two races. These opening races have proved the men’s commitment to returning to the championship and the women’s team racing to success.

After claiming the 2025 Intercollegiate Rowing Association championship title, the men’s program entered this spring with confidence. The IRA Division III National Championship last year pushed Trinity into the top spot, the team is committed to maintaining their elite standard. They raced in the Emerson Cup and the Knecht Cup competing against crews from across multiple divisions.

The one varsity eight boat claimed two wins, beating Tufts by nine seconds and then defeating Coast Guard in 25 second lead. The 3V8 boat captured two wins, while the 2V8 and 4V8 boats split their two races with a win and a loss. The team also claimed the Knecht Cup, finishing out MIT in a tight finish.The third and fourth varsity 8 claimed first and second place in the Division II and Division III Varsity 8 Final.

The Women’s team showed the same conviction with victories at the Malden Racing Series and the Lake Quinsigamond. The 1V8 boat cruised past the Jumbos and the Coast Guard, while the 2V8 boat were raced out by Tufts, but crushed the Bears in 39 seconds. However, the women’s team took home two titles from Lake Quinsigamond hosted in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Varsity Eight boat narrowly beat out Bates by 2.2 seconds. The boat was led by Julianna Boris ’26, Eliza Terrell ’28, Zoe Ritter ’28, Tessa Griffin ’27, Allie Newman ’26, Kaitlyn Mackin ’26, Scarlette Coke ’29, Addie Newman ’27 and Sophia Romano ’26. The second varsity eight boat finished in first, pushing ahead of William Smith. The team holds a blend of upperclassmen leaders and significant underclassmen rowers that have blended skills and speed to reach the finish line against Tufts, Hamilton, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and at their regatta. 

These races from the past two weeks have highlighted the teams’ dedication to growth and commitment to success. The teams are set to start each race with powerful speed from the outset, and closing with exceptional gains. Both the men and women’s teams have proven a steady pace, with an incremental push at the close, making significant distance claiming their victories. 

One key challenge faced by men and women’s rowing, despite their success, is to maintain this upward trajectory in each race. The teams have proven physical endurance and mental focus under immense pressure, implicating an exciting and competitive season ahead. With their resilience being tested at each race, the teams have established premising standings in their early races, a great feat for opening races. 

The men’s team will continue their climb to a championship title, while the women’s team builds upon their momentous victory. Each team focuses on consistent stroke timing and overall rhythm of the boat, creating effective combinations on the water. 

Annika Haley ’26

Sports Editor

The Trinity College Bantams women’s lacrosse have had a strong start to their 2026 campaign, opening the season with a 7–3 overall record and a 3–2 mark in NESCAC play. The Bantams have protected their home turf with a 4–0 record, showing offensive power and defensive discipline as the season unfolds.

Trinity set the tone early in their season with an 11–8 conference win over Williams College on Saturday, Feb. 28 on the road. Midfielder Grace Denious ’26 led the way with a hat trick, helping the Bantams obtain an early 4–0 lead. After Williams battled back to tie the game at halftime, the Bantams responded with a decisive third quarter, scoring four unanswered goals to regain control of the game. The Bantams’ ability to capitalize on player-up opportunities proved critical in this match and set the tone for games to come. 

That momentum continued into their home opener against Union College on Wednesday March 4, where Trinity earned an 11–6 victory. After a close first half, the Bantams offensive power surged in the second. Denious (two goals, two assists) and attack Alex Lesko ’26 (three goals, one assist) led the offense, while goalkeeper Alison MacDougall ’26 recorded 10 saves. Contributions across the field, including draw controls, caused turnovers and ground balls, highlighted Trinity’s cohesion early in the season.

The Bantams continued their winning streak with a 9–5 conference victory over Bates College on Saturday, March 7 at home. Midfielder Kaeley Zito ’26 delivered a standout performance with a hat-trick and two assists, helping Trinity control the pace from the very start. The Bantams’ timely scoring runs and strong defensive efforts limited Bates’ opportunities. 

After some midseason challenges, Trinity bounced back in dominant fashion with a 17–7 non-conference win over Franklin & Marshall College. Trailing early, the Bantams responded with an offensive stretch, including a six-goal run that broke the game open. Attacker Kelsey Restivo ’27 led the charge with a career-high seven points (four goals, three assists), while attacker Lily Acerra ’29 added six points of her own. The game showed Trinity’s ability to adjust and overwhelm opponents with their offensive pressure.

The Bantams carried that momentum into a dominant 19–1 conference win over Connecticut College. Trinity’s defense was nearly impenetrable as they held the Camels to just four total shots, while the Bantam offense fired on all cylinders. Attack Caroline Lally ’26 played a key role in the victory with four goals. Lally’s ability to find space and finish on free-position opportunities highlights her importance as a veteran leader.

Reflecting on that performance, Lally emphasized the collective nature of the offense: “I think what it really came down to was the whole team creating great opportunities for each other. Our offense was moving the ball really well and finding open looks, which made my job easier. On free-position shots, I was just trying to stay composed and stick to what we practice. I think overall it was more about our offensive flow and everyone being in sync than anything individual. That’s something we have been working on this season, and it was really cool to see it all come together.”

Lally also spoke to the team’s growth over the course of the season and the culture that has fueled their success: “I think we’ve grown a lot in terms of trust and communication. Earlier in the season we were still figuring things out, but now we’re really starting to click and play for each other. As a senior, it’s been really rewarding to see that development. I think our success comes from our work ethic in practice and how supportive everyone is on and off the field. We love each other like sisters, and it shows.”

Across the board, Trinity’s success has been driven by a balanced attack featuring players like Restivo, Denious, Lesko, Zito and Lally, combined with a defense that consistently disrupts opponents and creates transition opportunities. Whether it’s capitalizing on player-up situations, controlling draws or stringing together scoring runs, the Bantams have shown they can win in multiple ways.

As the season progressed, Trinity’s undefeated record at home and strong positioning within NESCAC play set the stage for an exciting stretch run. With veteran leadership and emerging young talent, the Bantams are building a season defined by resilience, depth and momentum.